Lyotropic nematic liquid crystals for use in electro-optical display devices

ABSTRACT

A display device in which a thin layer of a lyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition is utilized to diffuse light from a source toward an observer by applying a suitable voltage, for example, 20 volts for a 1 mil layer. One form of the device transmits light through the layer. A second form of the device uses light diffused and reflected to the observer. A preferred lyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition includes three compounds of the structural formulae: ##STR1##

This is a division of application Ser. No. 278,302, filed Aug. 7, 1972,now U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,030 issued June 22, 1976 which is a division ofthe patent application Ser. No. 16,078, filed Mar. 3, 1970, now U.S.Pat. No. 3,690,745 issued Sept. 12, 1972.

This invention relates to display devices and more particularly toelectro-optical display devices utilizing a thin layer of a lyotropicnematic mesomorphic composition for diffusing light from a source.

All matter is commonly classified in one of three states: solid, liquidand gas. When these divisions of matter are refined it is found thatcertain compositions have transition properties which are not properlyclassifiable in any of the foregoing broad classes. The isotropic liquidis generally the state referred to when the term liquid is used. Themajority of organic and inorganic compounds will transform from a solid,or a crystalline solid, to the isotropic liquid state upon reaching aparticular temperature peculiar to a given solid. There are somecompounds and mixtures of compounds, however, which pass through anintermediate state between the crystalline solid and the isotropicliquid. Some years ago it was found that certain compounds exhibitedwhat became to be called mesophase intermediate its transition from thecrystalline solid to the isotropic liquid. Within this mesophase thereare a number of distinguishable subphases. These are known as thesmectic mesophase, the nematic mesophase and the cholesteric mesophase.The smectic mesophase is a turbid viscous state which has certainproperties similar to those found in soaps. The nematic mesophase is aturbid state, but is also a mobile state. The nematic mesophasefrequently appears to be "threaded" when viewed between crossedpolaroids. The cholesteric mesophase is turbid and mobile phase whichexhibits optical characteristics quite different from those of thesmectic and nematic mesophases.

The majority of compositions exhibiting a mesomorphic phase arethermotropic. In other words, the mesophase is exhibited when a suitablecompound is heated to a temperature above that at which its crystallattice is stable, i.e., above its initial melting temperature. Forexample, if a crystalline solid compound which is both smectogenic andnematogenic is heated, the compound will change from the crystallinestate to the smectic mesophase at a first given temperature. At a secondhigher temperature the compound will suddenly change states, giving riseto the nematic mesophase. At still a third temperature, the nematicmesophase of the composition will yield suddenly to give the isotropicliquid. These transition temperatures are reversible, but upon reversalare sometimes accompanied by supercooling. Compositions can exhibit oneor more of the smectic, nematic and cholesteric mesophases.

A second type of mesomorphism to be distinguished from thermotropicmesomorphism, is lyotropic mesomorphism. Lyotropic mesomorphism isexhibited when certain solvents are added to certain other compositions.As the solvent is added intermediate states arise which exhibitmesomorphic properties. An excess of solvent will cause the lyotropicmesophase to pass over to a true solution. Lyotropic mesomorphiccompounds also exhibit smectic and nematic properties. A number of knowncompositions will exhibit the lyotropic mesophase using water or othercompounds as a solvent. For further discussion of the mesomorphic state,including the smectic, nematic and cholesteric mesophases and thedistinction between the lyotropic mesophase and the thermotropicmesophase, refer to G. W. Gray, Molecular Structure and the Propertiesof Liquid Crystals, Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1962. For purposesof cross reference, the mesophases are commonly referred to as liquidcrystals or as exhibiting liquid crystallinity.

It has also been known that when an electric potential is applied acrossa layer of a thermotropic nematic liquid crystal, turbulence is createdin the molecular structure of the material. This is especially true inthe nematic mesophase. One of the more recent disclosures of the opticalproperties of mesomorphic compounds is contained in U.S. Pat. No.3,322,485. The patent discloses the use of organic thermotropic nematiccompounds for use in electro-optical display devices. The display deviceutilizes the light scattering effect of an organic thermotropic nematiccompound which has a voltage impressed through or across a layerthereof. Several limitations however are noted in the patent disclosure.The patent states that only a very thin layer of the mesomorphiccompound can be utilized. In addition, the patent states that theoptical scattering effect can only be observed when the mesomorphiclayer is both nematic and thermotropic and is less than 1/2 millimeterin thickness. In addition, it should be noted that within the disclosureof the aforementioned patent no organic nematic thermotropic compound isdisclosed which has or exhibits a mesophase below the temperature of 45°C. Thus, it is difficult to use the optical device disclosed in theaforementioned patent since normal room temperature is well below thelower limits of 45° C.

It is therefore desirable to develop and possess a nematic mesomorphiccomposition which can be utilized as an electro-optical display screenoperable at temperatures normally encountered in habitable structures,i.e., temperatures near 25° C. It is furthermore desirable to possess acompound which will scatter light without maintaining an exact elevatedtemperature environment around the compound. This invention thereforeprovides an electro-optical display device including a first opticallytransmissive substrate and a first optically transmissive andelectrically conductive coating on a face of the first substrate, asecond substrate and an electrically conductive coating on a face of thesecond substrate, the substrates positioned such that the coatings areadjacent and substantially equidistantly spaced, and a light sourcemeans positioned to direct light toward the substrates, and means forimpressing a voltage gradient between coatings, the improvementcomprising a lyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition occupying thespace between the coatings, the composition having a thresholdelectrical field which when exceeded will cause it to scatter light. Thelyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition is preferably organic and ispreferably nematogenic at room temperature. The invention also providesa method for displaying light from a light source comprising the stepsof directing a light beam at an angle toward a thin layer of a lyotropicnematic mesomorphic composition, and impressing a threshold voltageacross the thin layer sufficient to cause the composition to scatterlight.

A better understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference tothe following specification wherein preferred embodiments of theinvention are disclosed in conjunction with the appended drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a display device utilizing thecomposition of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a device similar to that shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the display device of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, two substrates 10 and 12 are positionedsubstantially parallel to each other. Substrate 10, shown partiallybroken away, is optically transmissive and has deposited thereon acoating 14 of a material which is optically transmissive andelectrically conductive. Optically transmissive substrate 12 has coatedthereon a plurality of electrically isolated electrodes 16, 18, 20, 22,24, 26 and 28. These electrodes are also optically transmissive andelectrically conductive. Each of the electrodes 16 through 28 hasattached thereto a lead 30 which is optically transmissive and which hasbeen electrically insulated by an optically transmissive insulatingcomposition. Each of the leads 30 is attached at the edge of substrate12 to conventional electrical leads which in turn are connected toswitches 34 through 46 which correspond respectively to electrodes 16through 28. Switches 34 through 46 are connected in parallel to a source48 of electrical energy which is connected in series to electricallyconductive coating 14. Interposed between substrates 10 and 12 is a thinlayer 50 of a lyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition. For purposes ofclarity in the exploded view of FIG. 1, the thin layer 50 is shownseparated from the substrates 10 and 12; however, in operation, the thinlayer 50 is intimately contacting the coating 14 and the electrodes 16through 28. The layer 50 also, of course, contacts that portion ofsubstrate 12 not containing an electrode. Positioned behind substrate 12is a light source 52 which directs a light beam at an angle toward therear face of substrate 12. Since both of the substrates and theelectrode coatings thereon are optically transmissive, the light beamwill normally pass through the display screen composed of the substrates10 and 12, coating 14 and electrodes 16 through 28. The source of light52 can be any conventional source including an incandescent source. Thelight beam is electrically connected to a suitable source 58 ofelectrical energy. Positioned behind and spaced from the substrate 12 isa nonreflective light absorbing substrate 60 preferably a dull black incolor.

Referring now to FIG. 2 which a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG.1, operation of the display device will be described. FIG. 2 differsfrom FIG. 1 in that only one electrode 20 of electrodes 16 through 28 isillustrated. The display device is shown enclosed in casing 70. Likenumerals are used where applicable. As can be seen, the thin layer 50 ofa lyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition contacts the electricallyconductive coating 14 and electrode 20. When switch 36 is closed avoltage gradient is impressed through the layer 50 between electrode 20and that portion of coating 14 corresponding thereto. This will causethe portion of layer 50 through which the voltage gradient is impressedto diffuse light coming from light source 52. For purposes ofillustration, light beam 72 is shown being diffused toward the eye 74 ofan observer. A second light beam 76 which passes through the portion ofthe lyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition across which no voltagegradient is impressed without being diffused. Thus the observer isunable to see light from the light source in that portion of the layer.As will be surmised, substrate 60 is provided to eliminate internalreflections from light source 52 and also to eliminate stray room lightwhich might interfere with the display characteristics of the displayscreen. Referring back to FIG. 1 it will be seen that if switches 34 and46 are energized, a voltage gradient will be impressed across layer 50through that portion of the layer corresponding to electrodes 16 and 28.An observer, such as observer 74 of FIG. 2, will see a numeral onedisplayed. Similarly, if all of switches 34 through 46 are closed theobserver will see the numeral eight displayed.

In FIG. 3 a different embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. In this embodiment optically transmissive substrate 10 andoptically transmissive and electrically conductive coating 14 areconstructed the same as above. A light source 80, connected to asuitable electrical energy source 82, is positioned exterior of thecasing 70 to direct light beams 84 and 86 toward the lyotropic nematicmesomorphic layer 50. In this embodiment substrate 88 need not beoptically transmissive. Contacting substrate 88 is a reflective coating90 onto which an electrode 20 is placed. Similar to the foregoingembodiment, the electrode 20 is electrically connected through switch 36and energy source 48 to coating 14. In this embodiment, light fromsource 80, for example light beam 86, strikes the lyotropic nematicmesomorphic layer 50 through which a voltage is impressed, is diffused,and is reflected back toward observer 92 by reflective coating 90.However, light beam 84 not transvering a portion of the layer 50 acrosswhich an electrical field is being impressed is reflected by coating 90away from observer 92. Thus, as above, the observer 92 will see adisplay corresponding only to the size and shape of electrode 20. Lightsource 80, of course, need not be an artificial source such as shown butcan be any available source including sunlight.

The electrical energy or impressed voltage across the layer 50 must besufficiently large to reach or exceed the threshold voltage at which thelyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition will scatter light. It hasbeen found that for layers having a thickness of one mil the thresholdvoltage for most compositions occurs at around 8 volts, while bestresults are obtained with a voltage on the order of 20 volts. For bestresults it has been found that the layer should be relatively thin,preferably less than 20 mils thick with a layer less than 4 mils givingmost preferred and optimum results. The substrates 10 and 12 can becomposed of any suitable material which is optically transmissive, forexample, various types of glass, fused quartz, transparent varieties ofcorundum and transparent plastics or resins. The term opticallytransmissive as used herein includes both transparent and translucentmaterials. The coating and electrodes which are both electricallyconductive and optically transmissive, such as coatings 14 andelectrodes 16 through 28, can be composed of layers of indium oxide ortin oxide deposited on the surface of the respective substrates. If areflective surface is desired, a thin layer of a metallic material suchas silver or aluminum can be deposited on a substrate such as coating 90on substrate 88. It is to be understood, of course, with reference toFIG. 3 that the reflective coating 90 can be placed either at the frontor rear of the substrate 88, but if placed on the front of substrate 88as shown in FIG. 3, a reflective and conductive coating must beelectrically isolated from the electrode 20 to give the desired displayeffect. An alternate means of producing the desired reflection is toeliminate the coating 90 and compose the electrode 20 of a suitablereflective material. So doing would achieve the same result as thatillustrated.

Lyotropic nematic mesomorphic compositions which can be utilized withthe present invention will include a solvent and a solute. The types ofmolecules which will form the required lyotropic mesophase are usuallyof an elongated, relatively straight and in some cases flattenedstructure. This shape favors the parallel arrangement of moleculescharacteristic of the nematic mesophase. In addition these compoundspreferably are nematogenic at room temperature, for example in the rangeof from 15° to 30° C. Exemplary solutes are as follows:

(a) butyl-p-(p-ethoxyphenoxycarbonyl)phenyl carbonate, ##STR2## (b)p-(p-ethoxyphenylazo)phenyl heptanoate, ##STR3## (c)p-[N-(p-methoxybenzylidene)amino]phenyl acetate, ##STR4## (d)p-(p-ethoxyphenylazo)phenyl undecylenate, ##STR5## (e)4,4'-bis(heptyloxy)azoxybenzene, ##STR6## (f)p-(p-ethoxyphenylazo)phenyl hexanoate, ##STR7## (g)4,4'-bis(pentyloxy)azoxybenzene, ##STR8## (h)4,4'-bis(hexyloxy)azoxybenzene, ##STR9## (i) 4,4'-dibutoxyazoxybenzene,##STR10## (j) 4,4'-dipropoxyazoxybenzene, ##STR11## (k)p-[N-(P-octyloxybenzylidene)amino] n-butyl benzene, ##STR12##

Other suitable solute molecules include:

4-[(p-hexyloxycarbonyloxybenzylidene)amino]-1-pentyloxybenzene,

N-[p-(pentyloxycarbonyloxy)benzylidene]-p-anisidene,

p-[(p-butoxyphenyl)azo]phenyl butyl carbonate,

p-(p-ethoxyphenylazo)phenyl valerate,

p-[(p-ethoxybenzylidene)amino]phenyl acetate,

ethyl-p-[(p-methoxybenzylidene)amino] cinnamate,

ethyl-p-[(p-ethoxybenzylidene)amino] cinnamate,

p-[(p-methoxybenzylidene)amino]phenyl benzoate,

4,4'-azoxydianisole,

4,4'-azoxydiphenetole,

N-p-methoxybenzylidene-p-phenylazoaniline,

4,4'-azodiphenetole,

p-methoxycinnamic acid,

N,n'-di(p-methoxybenzylidene)α, α'-bi-p-toluidine,

p-anisalazine,

4-acetoxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid.

Preferred solute molecules are those compounds (a) and (c) above, andmore preferably a mixture of about 80 weight percent (a) and about 20weight percent (c).

Suitable solvent molecules for use with the present invention can be ofthe general formula: ##STR13## wherein R₁ and R₂ are alkyl radicals, thealkyl radicals having from one to five carbon atoms. Preferably thealkyl radicals have a straight chain or have a single methyl groupbranching therefrom. A preferred solvent is one wherein R₁ is methyl andwherein R₂ is n-butyl, i.e.,

(m) p-[N-(p-methylbenzylidene)amino]n-butyl benzene, ##STR14##

Most preferably about 60 mole percent of the solvent (m) is mixed with40 mole percent of the aforementioned preferred mixture of (a) and (c)to yield a lyotropic nematic mesomorphic composition which exhibits thenematic mesophase within the temperature range as follows: ##STR15##Other molecules exhibiting the long straight flattened structure andhaving a melting point preferably below room temperature can also beutilized within the purview of the present invention.

Various modifications of the foregoing description can be made withoutdeparting from the disclosed concept. It is intended that the inventiononly be limited by the definition of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mixed liquid crystal composition consistingessentially of a mixture of(a) a solvent having the formula ##STR16##and (b) a solute selected from the group of compounds consisting of(1)p-ethoxyphenylazo phenyl heptanoate (2) p-(p-ethoxyphenylazo) phenylundecylenate, and (3) p-(p-ethoxyphenylazo) phenyl hexanoate.
 2. A mixedliquid crystal composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein said soluteis p-(p-ethoxyphenylazo) phenyl heptanoate.
 3. A mixed liquid crystalcomposition as set forth in claim 1, wherein said solute isp-(p-ethoxyphenylazo) phenyl undecylenate.
 4. A mixed liquid crystalcomposition as set forth in claim 1, wherein said solute isp-(p-ethoxyphenylazo) phenyl hexanoate.